Compression

[stevek]

Steve & Michael - Hi guys, I'm curious if either of you use compression when recording and/or playing live. Especially when recording. I find there's a wide dynamic range when recording a solo bass piece and I'm wondering if you control this with technique or compression or both.
Thanks.

[Michael Manring]

Hi Steve,

Compression is a wonderful tool that can be easy to overuse. In general, I record without compression and use it as needed on mix down.

[Steve Lawson]

I'm the same - I have a couple of crazy shredding guitar-type sounds that have tonnes of compression to get big sustain, but for my 'normal' sounds, I don't use any, until I use multiband compression for mixing and mastering... As yo mention, having a wide dynamic range available is a great variable to have available when you're playing, and too much compression takes that away.

cheers

Steve